An incident involving a reported “biohazard” on a United Airlines flight to Boston led to crew members feeling unwell and passengers in distress, prompting the plane to be rerouted.
Flight 2477, originally departing from Houston, was redirected to Washington-Dulles after a passenger became sick, the airline confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday. “Flight UA2477 from Houston to Boston was redirected to Washington-Dulles after a passenger experienced a medical emergency. The aircraft is undergoing a thorough deep clean, and we are working to get customers to Boston as soon as possible,” the statement read.
Audio recordings shared on X revealed the pilot’s urgent communication with air traffic control regarding the biohazard situation, emphasizing the need to land the plane quickly due to the severity of the situation.
The pilot described the distressing conditions onboard, with crew members experiencing vomiting and passengers requesting masks after assessing the situation with the cabin crew and a doctor.
Despite the ordeal, all 155 passengers and 6 crew members on the Boeing 737-800 did not require medical attention upon landing.
A biohazard incident typically involves exposure to biological substances like feces, vomit, or blood, containing harmful viruses and posing health risks.
A similar incident took place in September 2023, involving a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Barcelona, where a passenger experienced gastrointestinal issues, causing the plane to turn back. Landing in Atlanta for cleaning, the Airbus resumed its journey to Barcelona after an 8-hour delay.
“Our teams worked swiftly to ensure our customers reached their destination. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay,” expressed a Delta spokesperson.